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Student life

Studying at the RVC can be demanding at times, but there is plenty of opportunity to balance out the hard work with oodles of extra curricular activities. You can find out more about the comings and goings of the RVC student body at the RVC via the New Faces at the RVC Facebook group, Twitter or the RVC Student Blog.

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The Camden LightwellDay to day student life

Whilst the timetables are fairly busy with lectures, practicals and other course material, there is always the odd hour in the morning or afternoon left free. This gives students a lot of freedom to decide when and how they want to study and allows for a varied week. There is absolutely no need for university to be gruelling or boring!

In Camden there are numerous different spaces to use between lectures and on a normal day you might be in the refectory for some lunch, swot up in the museum before an anatomy practical, research (or relax) in the learning resources centre, review lecture notes over coffee in the lightwell, ruminate over the day with friends in the Haxby bar or even work out in the gym. Hawkshead is more open than Camden, but the premise is much the same and there is the added bonus of oodles of outdoor space.

Wednesday afternoons are kept free in timetables to allow time for sports and clubs activities and practice. If you don't already play a sport, university provides a great opportunity to find out which ones might be for you. Whether you attend gruelling weekly practise for a sports team or just like to use the time to get some mild exercise, it is a great way to relax and take your mind off your studies for an afternoon. Some of the more popular clubs also offer evening and weekend sessions. For more regarding student union based activities and events please visit the Students' union page.

Students playing football Student playing pool

RVC social life

RVC students operate to the following motto: work hard and play harder. Whether it’s living in London or Hertfordshire, there’s always something going on. As Samuel Johnson famously said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. It is one of the most vibrant, fast-paced capital cities in the world, with plenty to see and do. Whether it’s a cultural day visiting the (mainly free) museums, or a hectic day fighting the shoppers on Oxford Street, London is the place to be. Keep an eye out for student nights at the various clubs as massive discounts can be had on production of a valid student card.

The RVC is part of the University of London and thus RVC students are also members of ULU, which is a brilliant way to meet more people from different universities. Many of the RVC social events take place in one of the many clubs in London; always a great way to explore more of the capital!

The Buttery pubAs for Hertfordshire … what is there not to love about the vast expanses of leafy, green, open spaces? Only 20 minutes train journey from central London but a vast change from the bright lights of the city; Herts is a lovely, peaceful place to live and study in. Rural activities like walking and riding are easily accessible and the beautiful city of St Albans is a mere drive (or bus journey) away. Potters Bar has all the amenities that one would ever need and the Hertfordshire Campus itself has a student bar (the “Buttery”); a lovely and cheap way to relax after a day of studying.

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